As Goa government gears-up to be pioneer ‘cashless’ state in the country, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar-led government is finding some resistance within its own party for the December 30 deadline. BJP secretary Sadanand Tanawade on Tuesday said that CM Parsekar-led state government must not make blanket imposition of ‘cashless’ transactions over commercial establishments.

Tanawade’s concern mainly suggested that the government’s decision may likely irk the business community against the party, which is a key contender in the upcoming state assembly polls in 2017. “It will take time for people to adapt to cashless transactions and train their staff to operate it. The deadline is not necessary. Else, the officers (Commercial tax department) will harass the traders who have not switched over to the new system,” he said in reference to (Goa) Commercial Tax department’s recent circular urging the commercial establishments in the state to take-up cashless payment system within 10 days. However, the circular in a appeal format also added that the cash transaction will continue in the state.

Tanawade however lauded the Central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi for mooting demonitisation to tackle the black money menace and promoting cashless transactions. In the last week of November, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar backed the idea of making Goa “first cashless state in the country” during a trip back to his home state.

Meanwhile, based on the petition of Advocate Aires Rodrigues, Goa Human Rights Commission has issued notice to Goa Chief Secretary and Comercial tax department over its circular issued to business enterprises in the state to go cashless by December 31. The hearing is slated on December 9.